This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. To order presentation-ready copies of Toronto Star content for distribution to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about permissions/licensing, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com

Jays hang on to down Rangers

Adam Lind had a pair of two-run home runs in last night's 6-3 win over the Texas Rangers. But there's something more brewing than just his home run power. Lind is convincing those around him in the clubhouse he deserves to be an all-star.

Adam Lind rounds the bases after hitting his second home run of the night against the Texas Rangers during a 6-3 Toronto victory on June 8, 2009. (JESSICA RINALDI / REUTERS)

By Mark ZwolinskiSports Reporter

Tues., June 9, 2009

ARLINGTON, TEXAS–There's something more brewing with Adam Lind than just his home run power.

The left-handed swinging Blue Jays slugger is convincing those around him in the clubhouse he deserves to be an all-star.

"The kid had a great night, you look at him and he's going towards having the best season of any DH in the game. ... I'd love to see him at the all-star game," Jays manager Cito Gaston said after last night's tense 6-3 win over the Texas Rangers before 17,856 at the Ballpark in Arlington.

Lind had a pair of two-run homers and continues to be one of the biggest reasons – along with Aaron Hill and Marco Scutaro – the Jays remain close to the top of the American League East.

That territory – carrying the team – normally belongs to Vernon Wells and Alex Rios, but with those former all-stars struggling, Lind has stepped into the limelight.

That's second to Hill on the Jays, but Lind also reached 41 RBIs to pass Hill for the team lead.

"I think I'm staying in the count more this year, I'm putting a good swing on the pitch I want," Lind said.

Those two homers staked Toronto to a 4-0 lead by the fourth inning and helped Casey Janssen win his second game in four starts.

That win almost didn't happen, thanks to a three-run sixth inning in which the Rangers took advantage of a pair of ground balls Hill misplayed that would have ended the inning with far less damage.

Gaston pulled Janssen with one out in the sixth, and Jason Frasor and Brandon League took the club to two out in the eighth, where closer Scott Downs took over for his eighth save.

Scutaro and Hill also came through with RBIs in the eighth – tack-on runs that helped Toronto put away a dangerous team that was coming off a great road trip in which it went 3-3 through Boston and New York to solidify its hold on the American League's West Division lead.

"A couple of bounces in this park and things can change," said Janssen, who had a career-high six strikeouts.

"You look up and they (Rangers) are right back in it, that's what kind of club they have."

That sixth came to a dramatic end.

Frasor was on the rubber when the Rangers signalled No.9 hitter Elvis Andrus to squeeze-bunt home a run. It was a gutsy call from manager Ron Washington. Trouble was, Andrus, a rookie, missed a strike from Janssen.

Marlon Byrd was then caught in a rundown.

Byrd is substantially faster than Jays catcher Rod Barajas, but Barajas chased him back to third base, diving the last few feet to tag Byrd on the leg for the second out. Andrus then flied weakly to right field to end the inning.

The Jays also were caught stealing three times, marking a bout of sloppiness in the middle frames that could have easily cost them the game.

Yet Toronto was saved by the bullpen and those late runs, and the continued heroics from Lind, Hill and Scutaro.

"It's great, it's fun to watch," Wells said of the red-hot Lind. "When he's locked in, he's as good as anyone I've ever seen in the game. He's got the ability to hit the ball pole to pole (all fields) and he's hitting his pitch."

Delivered dailyThe Morning Headlines Newsletter

The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited, One Yonge Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5E 1E6. You can unsubscribe at any time. Please contact us or see our privacy policy for more information.

More from the Toronto Star & Partners

LOADING

Copyright owned or licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or distribution of this content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. To order copies of Toronto Star articles, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com